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Eddie Baccus Jr. We have been blessed with Eddie being a core member of the Utopian Dreams family. After 15 years of recording and touring with famed urban jazz ensemble Pieces of a Dream, saxophonist Eddie Baccus, Jr. stepped out on a lush, soulful and funky Journey To Love, his independent debut album. Though it has been extraordinarily well received, Baccus is excited about a remixed and remastered version of the collection, which also features three new songs. The Cleveland born and raised, Virginia based artist will be releasing the revamped version as part of a package with his soon to be released follow-up album whose title perfectly reflects Baccus’ life and career as he reflects on the last 20 years and looks forward to the future: Living The Dream.

Tony Darren Utopian Dreams guitarist Tony Darren joined the band in 2013. His diverse talent encompasses many musical styles from Jazz and R&B to Pop. Tony garnered a SESAC national performance award as well as a GRAMMY consideration for best new contemporary jazz artist for his CD, Sun Song.

Not your Father's Smooth JazzOver the last few years-- explains David Sanborn --"smooth jazz" has evolved into instrumental R&B, or at least a lot of it did. But that's only part of the progress report. The previously snooze-y format not only has embraced R&B and soul, but also funk, fusion, blues, and even some hip-hop and dance elements, allowing these previously restrained jazz artists to get back to the business of creating music of depth, not just pop fluff aimed at some nebulous Adult Jazz Contemporary format.

Drusel White & Soul SchoolA dynamic Pianist and the band is second to none! Yo Drusel I looking forward to us getting a chance to do some recording!!

Cecil Ramirez Cecil is an incredible independent smooth jazz artist and has supported our development from the beginning. He knows the difficulty of creating the music we love and the business ofkeeping our careers going. Cecil has been there with advice and support all along the way. He is waiting for us to, as he likes to say with a twinkle in his eye... "develop our potential". His sense of humor has lifted us when the roadblocks get in the way. We are deeply grateful to him. Oh yes,...I forgot...he is also an incredible smooth jazz pianist.

Everette Harp We love the sax styling of this man...covering many of his songs in our performances...As the 90's progressed and smooth jazz artists began incorporating more hip-hop and classic R&B grooves into the music which came to define the genre, Everette Harp found himself ahead of the curve. Raised in church and weaned on gospel and soul music, the Houston born saxman on his first two Blue Note recordings, Everette Harp (1992) and Common Ground (1994), was already leaning this way, combining dynamic funk edges and urban textures into the mix.

Ray Obiedo Smooth jazz guitarist Ray Obiedo was born and raised in Richmond, CA. After signing to Windham Hill, Obiedo made his solo debut with 1989's Perfect Crime, followed two years later by Iguana; with 1993's Sticks and Stones, he reached the Top Ten on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz charts. After 1995's African-influenced Zulaya, he resurfaced two years later with Sweet Summer Days. 1999 saw the release of The Modern World, a hybrid of R&B, pop, and Latin jazz.on Ba musician playing several instruments well, piano and trubeen a guest artist

Kuumbwa Jazz Center Since 1975, the Kuumbwa Jazz Center has grown from a small establishment to a highly recognized jazz-presenting, intimate 200 seat theater. The center attracts artists of national and international status such as the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Stanley Clarke, the Yellowjackets and Chick Corea…to name a few. The Utopian Dreams Band is honored to be in concert at such a prestigious institution serving Santa Cruz and the SF Bay Area. Utopian Dreams performed there on March 1, 2014. We hope to be back soon

Angie SpinelliAngie Spinelli is one of the Bay Area's most talented jazz pianists. Check out her website!

GRP Verve Music GroupThe original American smooth jazz record company founded in 1982 by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen...check out the roster!

Narada ProductionsNarada is contemporary, structured, progressive music from around the world appreciated by sophisticated listeners. The "new age" genre in contemporary music can include a wide variety of musical styles and artists, ranging from relaxing acoustic guitar and piano, contemporary, urban, and straight-ahead jazz, ambient, experimental, avant-garde, rooted in sacred and folk traditions, and world music - including new flamenco, Celtic, Native American, Cajun, Cuban, African, Middle Eastern, Latin, and more.

Steven Charles SaxesOriginally from Chicago's south side, he has performed with an array of well-known artists, representing a broad musical spectrum. Such greats as George Benson, Marvin Gaye, Jr. Wells, Otis Rush, Stephen Stills, Mick Fleetwood, Jonn Serrie, Elvin Bishop, & groups like The Neville Brothers, Indigo Girls, & members of Santana, Sly & the Family Stone, EW&F, etc...

Alex DedalAnother great friend, performer with and supporter of Utopian Dreams, Alex hails out of Sacramento and is another great keyboard player out of capital city. We wish the best for Alex and all his endeavors in jazz and look forward to get a chance to gig with him.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise In all they have produced 20 "smooth jazz" cruises since 2004 and they have been hosted by many of the stars of the genre, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Boney James, Warren Hill and the late Wayman Tisdale. Nearly every great smooth jazz star has cruised on The Smooth Jazz Cruise, including Candy Dulfer, George Duke, Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, George Benson, Chris Botti, Peter White, Gerald Albright, Brian McKnight, Al Jarreau and so many others. The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2015 was just announced and it features the legendary Natalie Cole, along with its usual amazing array of talent.

The Jazz CruiseThe Jazz Cruise is not only the first full ship charter in the world featuring "straight ahead" jazz. It is the only one such program. Each year the programming and strength of the lineups grows and grows. The Jazz Cruise now produces its own big band, comprised of true jazz all stars and has added many theme nights, special events and passenger jam sessions to its already legendary schedule of performances and events. The Jazz Cruise has appeal throughout the world as it can boast guests from 26 different countries and most continents.

Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival The annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, one of the west coast’s foremost fall music events and premier smooth jazz festival returns to Catalina Island every October. JazzTrax is a three-day, three-weekend showcase of contemporary jazz entertainment, featuring the newest and best in smooth jazz. The Festival, which starts the first weekend in October and continues until the 3rd weekend in October is held in the legendary Casino Ballroom on Catalina Island, with special Thursday performances held at the ocean-side setting of Descanso Beach.

Brent Black After spending more than half his life studying, playing, announcing and selling jazz it seemed that the last world left to conquer would be the literary. Brent now utilizes his experience toit's fullest by writing about jazz at his blog Bop-N-Jazz . Granted his musical opinions can be sharp but he is one of our favorite reviewers as he...."digs Utopian Dreams"...Thanks B for all your support!

Morris LeGrande While Morris is no longer a member of Utopian Dreams, we would be at fault not to include the website of this incredible guitarist. Morris is a solo artist and star in his own right with his contemporary work and CD's. Please check out his fabulous off-the-hook music at his site.

Keyan Willams Keyan is a fabulous reed player based in NYC...we had the pleasure of having him as a guest artist in 2012...a great saxman in the style of Grover...you don't want to miss his soon to be released CD this year!CoKorg USA